english bohemian styled wedding!!!

beyond excited to share this with you guys today!!! spring is JUST around the corner and and i couldn't be more ready for fresh colors, pretty flowers and of corse lots of weddings!!!!

the look we were going for with this shoot was an english bohemian feel.  we wanted the formality and crispness of the brits mixed with a free spirited nature.  all while being fantastically fresh and pretty.

i hope you enjoyed the photos!! i know i sure enjoyed putting it together!!!!

be sure to check out the links to the other talented ladies who helped pull this off!!!

flowers: by charity at he loves me flowers

photography: heather at heather cherie photography

treats: by anna at dough a dear bakery

thank you all for reading!!!

crystal

2014!

i read a post on instagram the other day that really made me think....

i really debated the fact of doing new years resolutions for my personal life.  i always try to set some goals for my business but the personal goals especially tend to be shelved by the middle of february.  but as i read this post i realized to separate my personal goals from my business goals is not the way to go about it.  

it really got me thinking about how my business is so reflective of my personal tendencies and how much of my personality is strongly interwoven into and reflected in my business.  i realized how i have to be strong and true to my self for my business to flourish and that i need to feel satisfied and successful in my business to feel happy as a person.  so in hoping not to sound too cliche or to be like every other average, run of the mill, human being in january, i really have taken on a new out look on this year.

i feel like so much of what i went through last year as prepared me for this year... mostly my failures, they were a real kick in the seat! so im just gonna put it out there...

***i hope to be content with the work that i've done and work hard to improve and refine my style each and every time i'm given the opportunity

***i want to be more committed to blogging! be faithful in posting projects and progress!  and to stream line the content of the blog, keeping in line with the vision.  bringing interior design inspiration, trends, and projects that i'm working on. along with a few posts mixed in that are solely for inspiration.

***and last but not least i will take more risks!!! i usually hold back on putting myself out there because im afraid that it will fail.  i am afraid that if i try all the things i have up my sleeve then i will not have anything left to hold onto, no ace in the hole.  well if there is anything that i have learned from the past year its that some of my failures have produced some of the best results in me in the end. my failures have refined my and trained me. therefore i shouldn't be afraid to fail because in doing so i am just learning, which actually isn't failing at all. i want to dream and then be fearless to follow those dreams

well there it is... my mushy beginning of the year, get my butt in gear, you can do it speech!

i hope you will follow me on my journey through the following year.  hopefully i come out better and stronger on the other side! 

thank you all for reading!!!

crystal

friday favorites!

the cold weather is definitely here! and it's got us thinking warm and cozy things for our favorites!!!

first up plaid leggins! (also, we LOVE jillian harris!!!!!)

2. starbucks chai latte's!  of coarse i drink them all year but nothing warms you like a spicy hot tea!

3. dark nail polish!  OPI borris and natasha.  my fave fall go to!

pheasant feathers!!! i just recently did my fall decorating and i mixed these beauties in anywhere i could!!!  i LOVE the rustic pattern and the delicate texture!

 hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

thank you all for reading!!

crystal

happy fall morning!!

fall is in full swing! the weather is colder, leaves are falling and my craving for pumpkin is out of control!!  so naturally there was no better way to start a rainy tuesday than with tea and pumpkin spice doughnuts!!!

Petite Pumpkin Spice Donuts

Makes 24 mini donuts

For Donuts:

1 3/4 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoons ground cloves

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup milk

For Coating:

1/2 cup butter, melted

2/3 cup sugar

1-2 tablespoons cinnamon (more if you're a cinnamon lover)

Preheat oven 350 F.  Butter a mini donut pan and set aside.

In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt and spices together and set aside.

In a large bowl (or the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment) whisk together oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the mixture and stir until just combined, careful not to over mix.

Using a pastry bag or a steady hand and a spoon, fill each donut cup with the batter.  The donut cups should be fairly full, but not overflowing. Bake for 8-9 minutes, until donuts spring back when gently pressed (if you're using a larger donut pan, allow them to bake for 12-15 minutes).  Turn donuts out onto a wire rack and allow to cool for a few minutes.

While the donuts are cooling, melt butter in one bowl and combine the sugar and cinnamon in another.  When donuts are still hot (but not too hot to touch), quickly dip each donut in melted butter, then coat in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Serve immediately.

thank you all for reading!!!

crystal

 2, 3, 4, recipe

mid century modern living room!

i designed a mid century modern living room for a traditional house with amazing architecture. the house has a lot of wood which can make the space look really dated and challenging to design, but with using this new style, it gives the space an updated look. we decided to go with more modern accents to freshen up the room.  the warm colors and neutral textures help to make the space feel cozy and inviting.


1. navy velvet chair : one kings lane

2. bubble ceramic side table : west elm

3.  blue and white floor pouf : west elm

4.  hemp honeycomb rug : serena and lily

5.  carved wood side table : west elm

                       
                                                     thank you all for reading!
                                                                    crystal

Drew Barrymore's personal home collection!

She first captivated us as the adorable pigtailed Gertie in E.T., but, born into the legendary Barrymore acting dynasty, Drew was predestined to be a star. She’s grown up, branched out, and soared since then, but she never lost her unique charm, free spirit, and irresistible brand of approachability. Her home style follows suit: Funky, eclectic, and from the heart, the environments she creates are all about comfort, inspiration, discovery, and things she loves. Every item here is from Drew's personal collection. A portion of the sale proceeds go to donorschoose.org.

check out all of her amazing home pieces by clicking on the link below!

Hollywood Star Inspired Sale Featuring Drew Barrymore at One Kings Lane

thank you all for reading!!!

crystal

family tradition!!! easter nest cookies!

here are a couple of easter treats we made to go along with our celebration!

our family makes these cute little nest cookies every year! they are so yummy and so easy to make!

Barbara's Nest Cookies

                      1 stink margarine
                      2 c sugar
                      1/2 c milk

                      combine and boil for 1 minute
                      then add...

                      1/2 c peanut butter
                      1 1/2 t vanilla
                      3 c oats

                      mix together and drop on wax paper
                      add jelly beans or other eggs shaped candy
                     

we also made these adorable little deviled egg chicks!!!

                           boil eggs until hard boiled (15 min)
                           peel and rinse
                           then cut top 1/3 off to remove yolk
                           mix yolks as you like and add back into bottom of egg
                           then put the top on!
                           i used pepper corns for the eyes (you could also cut pieces of an olive)
                          and cut a carrot in tiny triangles for the beaks!

NOTE: if you use peppercorns for the eyes you will probably want to remove them before eating! that would be quite a heavy dose of pepper!!!

i just love these adorable little guys!!!!!

thank you all for reading!!!!

crystal